Most current opinions on centerlock wheels?
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Most current opinions on centerlock wheels?
I am trying to put together a GTS order. I visited a dealership today and the sales associate told me they are quite used to working with centerlocks in their service department. The problem is I don't usually visit my Porsche dealer (who is also far away) to buy tires, have nails removed etc. A quick visit to the GT forums here shows that there are still many unhappy CL owners, and the process still seems somewhat onerous to make sure they are installed safely and precisely. The good news is that I thought the Carrera 5 lug wheels actually looked pretty good on this car in person and I figure if I don't like them, it will be easier to find a substitute than if you commit to the CLs. Thoughts?
Jim
Jim
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I think the process is easier than many think, but still more work, more tools, etc. If you are not near a stealership, I can definitely see how you would not want them. You would need to pack a torque wrench and breaker bar with you, get somebody to step on the brake to put the wheel back on, etc. I also would think that many local shops would either not know how to take them off and put them on and would not have the required tools. But, they do look awesome.
Here is a video of what is involved.
Here is a video of what is involved.
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I have them and love them. But I don't track my car and I live close to my dealer who does all of my work. Take any of those things away, and I think it's a very reasonable decision to go with the 5-lug wheels.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: North Carolina
I agree. I had them on my 997 GTS as well and liked them, never any issues. I now have them on my 991 GTS. But like you, I don't track and use my dealer for tire work since they match Tirerack prices and don't mess up my wheels.
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If you have a professional remove your wheels and you like the look, CL is fine.
If you want to remove one at any point, stay away, as previous poster indicated, p.i.t.a.
If given the choice, I'd go w/lugs every time.
If you want to remove one at any point, stay away, as previous poster indicated, p.i.t.a.
If given the choice, I'd go w/lugs every time.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Midtown Atlanta
I kept the CLs on my GTS order because:
1) I evaluated how many times I've taken wheels off my Porsches in the last 12 years -- zero. (Not technically true, but the times I was doing it always involved adding spacers, changing to different wheels, etc.; things I wouldn't be doing with this car). I've never had to change a tire on the road.
2) Looks cool, I love the wheel and don't want to replace it.
3) I was paying for it anyway. Porsche offers no rebate for letting them keep the CLs, whereas they charge (iirc) $4000 to upgrade to CLs on the Turbo. That just kind of hacks me off.
1) I evaluated how many times I've taken wheels off my Porsches in the last 12 years -- zero. (Not technically true, but the times I was doing it always involved adding spacers, changing to different wheels, etc.; things I wouldn't be doing with this car). I've never had to change a tire on the road.
2) Looks cool, I love the wheel and don't want to replace it.
3) I was paying for it anyway. Porsche offers no rebate for letting them keep the CLs, whereas they charge (iirc) $4000 to upgrade to CLs on the Turbo. That just kind of hacks me off.
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I am trying to put together a GTS order. I visited a dealership today and the sales associate told me they are quite used to working with centerlocks in their service department. The problem is I don't usually visit my Porsche dealer (who is also far away) to buy tires, have nails removed etc. A quick visit to the GT forums here shows that there are still many unhappy CL owners, and the process still seems somewhat onerous to make sure they are installed safely and precisely. The good news is that I thought the Carrera 5 lug wheels actually looked pretty good on this car in person and I figure if I don't like them, it will be easier to find a substitute than if you commit to the CLs. Thoughts?
Jim
Jim
This is the real beef the GT guys have, that they don't have a pit crew to handle stuff like this for them. So if you're like the GT guys hitting the track, constantly changing wheels, then you should probably avoid them. Unless you have the pit crew I mean.
But notice NoGaBiker is very happy with his. So are most people who aren't on the track treadmill. Don't decide based on guys who are heavily into track, unless you are heavily into track. Look at the guys using their car the way you'll be using yours.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Napa Valley, CA
I don't track very much and I hate them (I do not do my own wrenching). Not so much the wheel but the fact that it limits my ability to find a shop that will put new tires on my car, do an alignment or flush the brakes, etc. - so you have to rely on a Porsche dealer to do these simple jobs and charge twice as much as anyone else. I don't mind going to the dealer for certain things but a brake flush, for example, any trusted Indy can do for half the price.
That said, the great thing about CL's, the thing they do better than ANY lugged rim, is that they are next to impossible for the common thief to steal - unless they buy $500 or $600 worth of equipment. And even if they could, steal them, well, there isn't much of a market for CLs.
That said, the great thing about CL's, the thing they do better than ANY lugged rim, is that they are next to impossible for the common thief to steal - unless they buy $500 or $600 worth of equipment. And even if they could, steal them, well, there isn't much of a market for CLs.
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